The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has postponed a ruling on a case involving 44 former Move Forward Party MPs accused of serious ethical violations arising from their push to amend the lese-majeste law after the accused lodged a petition.
If the anti-graft body decides to indict the group and a court finds them guilty, the accused could be banned from politics for life. Of the 44 named in the original complaint, 25 are currently sitting members of the People’s Party, the successor to Move Forward after it was dissolved.
Surapong Intarathawon, deputy secretary-general of the anti-graft body, said the case was not considered on Thursday as the group formally submitted petitions seeking fairness and the NACC is required to review the details before proceeding.
He said it was the legitimate right of the accused to do so while stressing that the agency’s handling of the case is hewing to its timeline.
Mr Surapong said a sub-committee has completed its investigation and the case is ready to be submitted to the full commission for a vote.
Asked whether the petitions could be a tactic to delay a ruling until after the Feb 8 general election, Mr Surapong said he could not speculate on the intent.
He said the commission must examine whether the petitions present new material or repeat the arguments already reviewed. He declined to say when the review would be completed.
The investigation into the former Move Forward MPs was launched last August following a petition by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn, who asked the Constitutional Court to order the party to cease all activities relating to amending the lese majeste law.
The petition was based on a ruling by the court on Jan 31, 2024, which said the Move Forward Party’s efforts to amend Section 112 constituted an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.
If the 44 former lawmakers are found to be in the wrong, the case will be submitted to the Supreme Court for Holders of Political Positions.
If found guilty, they may have to forfeit their positions as MPs and could be banned from running in elections.
